System and Method for Containing and Dispensing Fluids

Abstract

An integral injection molded strip ( 10 ) of a single plastic material is provided, the strip comprising a plurality of vials ( 20 ) connected by frangible (breakable) connecting members ( 38 ). Each vial (as molded as part of the integral injection molded strip) has a neck portion ( 30 ) with an internal delivery passage ( 31 ) and a squeezable body portion ( 22 ), the squeezable body portion having an internal chamber ( 23 ) for holding a single dose of a fluid product ( 50 ), the chamber ( 23 ) having an open top end ( 24 ) fluidly connected to the internal delivery passage ( 31 ) in the neck portion, and the chamber having a bottom end ( 25 ) adapted for filling with the fluid product. The internal delivery passage ( 31 ) (of the neck portion) has an open bottom end ( 33 ) fluidly connecting to the body chamber, an opposing open top end ( 32 ), and an integral injection molded internal membrane ( 34 ) (formed in the delivery channel during injection molding of the integral strip of vials) that seals the delivery passage ( 31 ) prior to being pierced by a needle ( 62 ) of a dispensing device ( 60 ).

1 . An integral injection molded strip made of a single plastic material and comprising a plurality of single-use vials, each vial adapted to be assembled to a needle or another dispensing device for delivery of a single dose of a fluid product from the vial by squeezing the vial itself,
 each single-use vial comprising an injection molded integral neck portion and a flexible body portion of the single plastic material, the flexible body portion having an internal chamber for holding a single dose of the fluid product and flexible body wall adapted for squeezing the fluid product out an open top end of the chamber into an open delivery passage in the neck portion, the delivery passage having an open bottom end in fluid communication with the internal chamber for receiving the fluid product and an opposing open top end for delivery of the fluid product out the top end of the vial,   an injection molded internal membrane within the delivery passage that seals the delivery passage and, after puncture of the membrane by a needle or luer fitting of a separate dispensing device allows passage of the fluid product from the body chamber through the delivery passage and out the open top end,   an attachment member on the neck portion that enables attachment of the separate dispensing device,   the flexible body portion having an injection molded open bottom end, opposite the neck portion, adapted for simultaneously filling of all vials of the strip, each with the single dose of the fluid product, in a single filling step by introducing the fluid product into the open bottom ends.   
     
     
         2 . The strip of  claim 1 , wherein
 the strip of vials including injection molded frangible connecting members that temporarily connect the vials to form the integral strip, the frangible connecting members adapted to be broken by bending or twisting to release each vial from the strip.   
     
     
         3 . A strip of filled and sealed vials comprising the strip of  claim 1 , wherein all vials are simultaneously filled with a single dose by introducing the fluid product into the open bottom ends and the open bottom ends are then sealed by simultaneously heat sealing the bottom ends. 
     
     
         4 . The strip of  claim 1 , wherein
 each vial includes a projecting portion on the outer surface of the neck portion for protection against needle injuries.   
     
     
         5 . The strip of  claim 1 , wherein the vials are adapted for applications in the fields of pharmaceutical, cosmetic, dental, veterinary, food and chemical fluid products. 
     
     
         6 . A method of making a strip of vials according to  claim 1 , wherein the strip of vials is formed as an integral injection molded strip comprising the plurality of vials and frangible connecting members that temporarily connect the vials to form the integral strip, the frangible connecting members adapted to be broken by bending or twisting to release each vial from the strip. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of vials of the strip are filled with the fluid product simultaneously in a single filling step where all vials are filled with a single dose of the fluid product. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the body portion of each injection molded vial in the strip is injection molded with an open bottom end, opposite the neck portion, and the filling step comprises simultaneous filling of all vials in the strip by introducing a single dose of the fluid product into the open bottom ends, and the filled vials are then heat sealed by simultaneously closing the bottom ends of all vials. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the strip of vials is sterilized by Gamma or Eto sterilization prior to filling and sealing the bottom ends of the vials. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the open neck end of each vial is temporarily closed by attaching a closure cap with a mating attachment member to keep the membrane and delivery passage sterile prior to uncapping and attaching the dispensing device. 
     
     
         11 . A method of using the strip of  claim 1 , wherein a single fluid filled vial is separated from the strip and a dispensing device comprising a needle or syringe is attached to the neck portion of the container. 
     
     
         12 . The strip of  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing device has an attachment portion comprising a thread or snap on locking mechanism adapted to be attached to the neck portion in fluid tight engagement, and includes a needle or luer that punctures the internal membrane of the neck portion to allow passage of the fluid product from the body portion, into and through the first end of the needle that punctures the membrane, and out the opposite open end of the needle or luer. 
     
     
         13 . The strip of  claim 1 , wherein the single plastic material is a soft plastic material comprising a polyolefin, polyethylene and/or polypropylene, including copolymers and blends thereof, of a thickness and flexibility such that dispensing can be activated by squeezing the flexible body portion with the user's finger pressure to force the fluid product from the body portion and into and through the needle or luer that has punctured the membrane, and out the other open end of the needle or luer for delivery to a person or animal. 
     
     
         14 . The stirp of  claim 1 , wherein the single plastic material is made of a single recyclable material. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein
 the filling is done at room temperature, allowing the filling of heat-sensitive products.